Authors' objectives:

This study aims to assess the effects of desensitisation and clinical ecology in the management of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).

Authors' recommendations: Only one review has been identified that addresses the question asked in this review. This one article is of reasonable quality, although it could have been more detailed about its selection process for articles and rigorous in its appraisal of them. Given the difficulties of definition and overlapping terminology, along with poor quality evidence, the authors have been thorough in their assessment of a fragmented and complex topic, balancing the need for rigour against the provision of some information in the absence of good quality data. With such poor quality evidence, no evidence-based recommendations for treatment of MCS can be made. However, it is generally recognised that patients may be very disabled by their symptoms and require management. In the absence of a rigorous evidence base, the sensible approach is likely to combine understanding and supportive care for individuals with support for well-designed studies addressing the definition, causation, natural history, relationship with other clinical conditions and effective interventions for MCS.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development

Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662

Copyright: Bazian Ltd, Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development